McGowan Theater

The 290-seat William G. McGowan Theater is located on the lower level of the National Archives Building in Washington, DC.

The McGowan Theater also hosts regular noontime lectures and book talks by historians, artists, and other individuals who represent the amazing breadth of records at the National Archives. There is also a robust evening lecture and film program.

All public programs at the National Archives are free, and many are streamed live online via the National Archives’ YouTube channel. Reservationsare recommended; seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. For a complete listing of theater programs, see the Calendar.

The McGowan Theater and its public programming are made possible in part by the Foundation for the National Archives through the support of the William G. McGowan Charitable Fund, Inc. The Foundation also thanks Texas Instruments’ DLP Products and Christie Digital Systems for its donation of theater projection equipment.